Gun trunk



J. E. ROGERS Oct. 31, 1933.

GUN TRUNK Filed Nov. 25, 1932 2 SheetsSheet l n m /J I. I M w H 7 QKKM 9 1 n r o 9 Oct. 31, 1933.

J. E. ROGERS GUN TRUNK Filed Nov. 23, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwuwntoz alike 144.14

Patented Oct. 31, 1933 UNITED STATES GUN TRUNK John E. Rogers, Elkhart, Ind.

Application November 23, 1932 Serial No. 644,070

10 Claims.

My invention relates to trunks, and particularly to trunks or cases for transporting firearms, rifles, and the like.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a gun trunk, or case, whereby guns, such as rifles, and the like, can be transported with the minimum liability to injury thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gun transportation case or trunk which is equipped with adjustable clamps at opposite ends thereof for releasablysecuring both ends of a gun or rifle therein.

A third object of the invention is to provide a gun transportation case or trunk which is equipped with adjustable clamps at opposite ends thereof for releasably securing both ends of a plurality of guns of various lengths.

Still another object is to provide an improved gun trunk or case for transporting guns, rifles, and. the like, the trunk having compartments of various lengths to accommodate relatively lengthy and short guns, andclamping means for removably securing the guns in position in said compartments, said clamping means being adjustable longitudinally of the gun barrel and readily removable from the gun trunk.

Another object is to provide an improved gun transportation trunk having improved means for clamping the guns within compartments therein and a plurality of drawers associated with said compartments.

Other and more specificobjects of the invention are mentioned, disclosed, and described herein.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective of my improved gun trunk showing the top elevated and front wall lowered;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the trunk disclosing the interior thereof;

Figure 3 is a section taken on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Figure 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Figure 5 is an elevational View of one of the gun muzzle holder and clamping units, same being enlarged and shown partially in section, and illustrating the adjacent upright partition elements, the latching mechanism, and guidemeans for the unit;

Figure 6 is a section taken on line 66, of Fig. 5;

Figure 7 is an elevational exterior side view of the gun muzzle holder and clamping unit illustrated in Fig. 5; I

Figure 8 illustrates a top plan viewthereof;

Figure 9 is a section taken on line 9+9 of Fig. 5; if

Figure 10 is an exterior -front elevational view of the gun stock or butt holder and clamping unit;

Figure 11 is a fragmental section taken on line 11-'-11 of Fig. 10; and

Figure 12 is a section taken on line 12-12 of Fig. '10. p

Similar numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views on the drawings. l 4

Referring now to the details of the drawings the numeral 1 indicates generally the gun case or trunk which includes the bottom wall 2, the rear "wall 3, the two end Walls 4 and. 5, the hinged top or cover 6, and the hinged front cover 7, the latter having its lower edge hinged to I"; the bottom wall 2 at 8, the upper edge thereof being adapted to be latched and locked in any suitable manner to the hasps 9 carried by the top 6. I

The numeral 10 indicates a fixed front wall element coextensive with the length of the trunk and having its opposite ends rigidly connected with the end Walls 4 and'5 in any suitable manner, the lower edge of said front wall element terminating substantially above the case-bottom 2 and rigidly associated with a horizontal partition element 11 which is connected with thelower edge of the wall element 10 and which is coextensive with the interior length of the trunk unit, the width of said partition element being substantially less than the distance from the wall element 10 to the rear wall 3.

The numeral 12 indicates a compartment arranged in a plane below the partition 11- and formed by the upright partition member 13 and the trunk rear wall 3, said compartment being provided with a removable coverl4 and terminating intermediate the trunk ends at the transverse partitions 15 and 16 with which said partition 13 is connected, said cover 14 being pref erably in alignment with the partition 11. The compartment 12 is adapted to carry small arms, ammunition, or supplies of any suitable character. The partitions 15 and 16 may extend between the trunk front and rear walls and function substantially as supports for the horizontal partition 11, said partitions 15 and 16 being spaced substantially from the end walls 4 and 5 to provide suitable open end compartments 1'7 arranged below the ends of the partition 11 (one only at Fig. 4 being shown) each of said chambers having a removable sliding drawer 18 arranged therein.

The drawers 18 are removable when the hinged front 7 is lowered and are adapted to contain ammunition, small arms, or supplies of any suitable character. The numeral 19 indicates a plurality of pairs of removable sliding drawers mounted in the trunk below the partition 11 and intermediate the two end drawers 18. And the numeral 20 indicates a plurality of shallower drawers in superimposed relation slidably mounted in the trunk below the partition 11 and be tween the two pairs of drawers 19, the partition 11 functioning as the top wall for the compartment in which said drawers are arranged. Ob-

viously, when the front cover '7 is lowered all of the drawers 18, 19 and 20 are accessible and may be drawn out, and when the cover '7 is elevated and connected with the hasps 9 said drawers are all concealed andinaccessible.

The numeral ZIindicates a pair of floor boards secured at opposite ends of the compartment cover 14 and in alignment therewith to provide a floor for the ends of one of the gun compartments herein described, the compartment cover 14 serving as a portion of the fioorof that gun compartment which is the longer'oftwo gun compartments contained in the. trunk 1. The partition 11 serves as the fioor for the other of the two gun compartments and which may be defined as the shorter of thetwo, compartmentsior gun reception. The numerals 22 and 23 indicate upright stationary partitions or walls spaced from each other and: mounted upon the floor boards 21 in opposed sets to provide gun stalls or stations for the reception of the muzzle and butt of the relatively lengthy-gun 24, said stalls being adapted to carry the gun holder and clamping elements 33 and 34 which are hereinafter described. Above the partition 11, at opposite ends thereof and coextensive in width therewith a pair of compartments 25 and 26 are provided for containing supplies of any character, each of which compartments may have removablecovers and arranged adjacent and parallel with the end walls 1 and 5, respectively, the rear end walls of said compartments coacting with one of the partitions 22, 23. v I

The space above the partition 11 and between the compartments, 25 and 26 is utilized to contain a plurality of relatively short guns 27, the opposite ends of said space or compartment having a plurality of fixed upright partitions or walls 28 and 29, respectively, mounted on the partition 11, or otherwise in any suitable lmannento provide'a plurality of opposed sets of stalls or stations for the ends of the short gun 27, a plurality of which may be installed therein. As illustrated, the partitions 22, 23 provide for two long guns; and the par titions 28, 29, make provision for four of the short guns, but other and different provision may be made, according to the size of gun trunk desired. v

For securely and releasably fastening'the gun muzzle and butt or stock in the stalls at the opposite ends of the gun compartments improved combined holder and clamping elements are provided, one for each end of the gun,

, each differing somewhat from the other, and

adapted to be removably mounted between the partitions which provide the stalls therebetween. The numerals 33 and 34 indicate these gun holder and clamping elements which are slidably arranged between any two of a plurality of sets of guide strips 30 fastened in an upright position to the partitions 22, 23, 28 and 29, all of which are similar in construction, said stri; extending in series longitudinally of said par-- titions and the stalls provided thereby. In Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 the detailed structure of the holder and clamping unit 33, which is the gun muzzle unit, is illustrated, and in Figures 10 and 11 and 12 the structure of the gun butt or stock holder and clamping unit is shown.

The numeral 31 indicates a latch block rigidly fastened between each pair of guide strips 30 adjacent the top thereof and adjacent the top edge of each of the partitions 22, 23, 28 and 29, each of said latch blocks being provided with a latch or keeper aperture.

The gun muzzle holder and clamping unit 33 is adapted to slidably fit between any one of the several sets of guide strips 30, the side edges of the unit body 35 being adapted to thus slidablyengage between said strips. lhe unit 33 also carries latch means for releasably securing the unit to the latch or keeper 31, as is hereinafter described. I

The gun muzzle unit 33 has the fiat body element which may be rectangular in shape and which is provided with an elongated opening 35 within which opening a slidable clamping block 3'? is arranged, the latter being operable and adjustable by a non advancing screw 38 which is actuated by a nut 39. A pair of cheek, or front and back, plates 40 are secured on opposite sides of the body element 35 by screws 41 to prevent displacement of the block 3'1, said cheek. plates being suitably apertured at 42 to admit the passage of the nut 39 to the exterior, said plates being apertured also at 43 to admit the passage of the gun nozzle 46 there through. The lower face of the sliding clamping block 37 may be concaved at 44 and may have a yieldable pad 45 mounted thereon, and the lower end of the opening 43 carries a concaved gun. muzzle seat 47 which may have a yieldable pad 48 mounted thereon. Preferably, the seat element 4'7 upon which the gun muzzle may rest, is channelled in formation, the channel whereof is engaged by the edges of the cheek plates adjacent the opening 43 to maintain the juxtaposition of said seat.

The holder and clamp unit 33 may carry pair of opposed spring pressed latches 49 adjacent the upper end of the body element 35 and which are adapted to engage the keeper recesses 32, said latches being mounted in suitable apertures in the body 35 on opposite sides thereof, a coil spring 50 urging each latch element outward. Each latch 49 may be provided with a stem 51 about which the spring 50 is draped. the inner end of each of said stems being r i]. ly connected with one of a pair of latch retracting handles 52.

The latch retracting handles 52 may extend into a recess 53 formed in the upper end of the unit body 35, and within which recess they are movable toward each other, said handles being normally held apart by the springs 50. An end plate 54 suitably fastened to the end of body element 35 aids in maintaining the juxtaposition of the handles 52 and the former is provided with a suitable opening through which said handles project and are movable toward each other. Obviously, rotation of the nut '39 will eilect movement of the clamping block 44 and enable the operator to clamp same against the gun barrel or muzzle 46 when the latter is thrust through the hole 43 when the unit 33 is mounted between the guide strips 30. And obviously the latch elements 49 when engaged with the keeper recesses 32 on opposite sides of the unit 33 prevent displacement of said unit from said guide strips. And it is also obvious that release of the latches 49 from keepers 31 enables the operator to mount the unit 33 between any set of guide strips 30, whereby guns of different lengths may be accommodated and mounted therein, retraction of the latches 49 being efiected by pressing the handles 52 toward each other.

The holder and clamp unit 34 is, as stated, adapted to support and clamp the gun stock or butt 55 within one of the stalls or stations formed by the partitions 22, 23, 28, 29, the gun muzzle being supported and clamped in one of the opposing stalls, as heretofore described. The unit 3% is substantially similar to unit 33 and is provided with the spring pressed retractible latches 49 and retracting handles 52, and has incorporated therein the slidable arcuate clamp element 56 as a substitute for the clamp 4 of unit 33. In this unit 34 the clamp member 55 is arranged exteriorly of the unit and may be provided with a yieldable pad 57 on the concaved face thereof, the latter being adapted to be clamped against the edge or" the gun butt 55.

The clamp element 56 of unit 34 is provided with an elongated hub 58, preferably integral therewith, which projects through a suitable slot in the cheek plate 40 to the unit interior for slidable arrangement in the slot 60 formed the body element 35, said hub member being operatively engaged and traversed by the non advancing screw 59 which is rotatable by the nut 61. Displacement or tilting movement of the clamp 55 is effectually prevented by the screw 59 which has its opposite ends journaled in the body element 35 in any suitable manner. When clamp plate 56 of unit 34 is downwardly adjusted against the gun butt 55 the opposite edge of the gun butt rests in a recess 62 formed in the floor of the particular stall in which the gun butt is arranged, whereby lateral displacement thereof is prevented.

I claim: o o

1. In a gun trunk, the combination of a gun compartment provided with a longitudinally extending stall at each end thereof, gun holder and clamping means arranged within one or both of said stalls, said gun holder and clamping means including a screw clamp engaging one end of the gun and means for adjusting said holder and clamping means for various gun lengths.

2. In a gun trunk, the combination of a gun compartment provided with a stationary stall at each end thereof, each of said stalls including a stationary partition and a combined holder and clamping unit for each end of the gun, arranged in said stalls and connected with the stall partition.

3. In a gun trunk, the combination of a gun compartment provided with a stall at each end thereof, and a combined holder and clamping unit for each end of the gun, said holder and clamping units being removably mounted in said stalls and adjustable longitudinally thereof.

4. In a gun trunk, the combination of a pair of intercommunicating gun compartments of different lengths to accommodate guns of various lengths, and means adjacent each end of each of said compartments for supporting and clamping the guns against displacement, said means including opposed mount means and combined gun holder and clamps carried by said mount means.

5. In a gun trunk, the combination of a gun compartment, and means adjacent each end of said gun compartment for supporting and clamping a gun therein against displacement, said means including a holder and clamp mount and a combined gun holder and clamp removably and adjustably supported by said mount, said combined gun holder and clamp being slidably removable in guideways provided on said clamp mount.

6. In a gun trunk, the combination of a gun compartment formed intermediate the top and bottom of the trunk and provided with a gun stall at each end thereof, each of said stalls including a floor and opposed spaced partitions extending longitudinally of the trunk, and gun holder and clamping means arranged within both of said gun stalls and removably connected with the stall partitions.

7. In a gun trunk, the combination of a gun compartment formed intermediate the top and bottom of the trunk and provided with a gun stall at each end thereof, each of said stalls including fixed upright partitions extending longitudinally of the trunk body and adjustable gun holder and clamping means arranged within both of said gun stalls and removably connected with the stall partitions.

8. In a gun trunk, the combination of a gun compartment provided with a stall at one or both ends thereof, a gun holder and clamping unit removably arranged within one or both of said stalls, and means for selectively positioning one of said gun holder and clamping units in any one of a plurality of positions.

9. In a gun trunk, the combination of a gun compartment provided with a stall ,at one end thereof, and a gun muzzle holder unit removably mounted in said stall, said holder unit including gun muzzle clamping means and latch means for retaining said holder within said stall.

10. In a gun trunk, the combination of a gun compartment provided with a stall having opposed upright elements, a gun butt holder unit arranged in said stall between said upright elements, holder catch means carried by said upright elements, gun butt clamping means carried by said holder, and latch means carried by said holder and adapted to engage said catch means for removably retaining said holder unit in said stall.

JOHN E. ROGERS. 

